My name is Oliwia, and I am a 29-year-old photographer embarking on an exciting journey to establish my own photography business. To enhance my skills and gain valuable experience, I decided to participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program. This opportunity has allowed me to develop not only my photography and videography expertise but also to learn how to manage my business more effectively. As part of the program, I had the privilege of working with my host entrepreneur, Jo Hendrickx, CEO of Travel Without Plastic. This company, based in Gran Canaria but operating globally, is dedicated to environmental protection, particularly by promoting the reduction of single-use plastics used in the tourism industry.Through this incredible experience, I have significantly improved my skills in business management, photography, video editing, and content creation.
During my participation in the program, I had an incredible opportunity to create promotional materials for the company’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. These materials took various forms, such as photographs, videos, and reels. I also had the chance to participate in numerous events where we captured moments through photography and videography, creating engaging content from events and interviews.
Throughout my exchange, I regularly attended mentoring sessions with my host entrepreneur, Jo Hendrickx. She provided invaluable advice on managing my own business, setting achievable goals, and striving for continuous growth. Additionally, I consistently received constructive feedback from her on the materials I produced. This feedback not only helped me refine my skills but also contributed to Jo’s initiatives, making the experience mutually enriching and highly rewarding.
Beyond the chance to collaborate occasionally with my host entrepreneur (Jo Hendrickx) by creating content for the company, I was also able to establish relationships with other professionals I met during my time on-site.
Without a doubt, my skills in video recording and editing have grown significantly, as have my abilities in business management. The mentoring sessions with Jo were particularly valuable and helpful, greatly enhancing my leadership capabilities.
Additionally, the marketing strategies I learned during this experience will be incredibly beneficial for my own business, especially in attracting clients, securing new orders, and fostering collaborations with partners.
The skills I gained during this experience far exceeded my expectations. I developed both hard and soft skills essential for running my own business, as well as technical expertise in cinematography and editing. Additionally, I acquired a wealth of knowledge in marketing.